The village & its sarpanch

Jasmine Singh 

Parveen Kaur, 23, the youngest sarpanch from Kakrala Kuchiya, Kaithal Haryana hasn’t disclosed her ‘designation’ to many people around. Only a few close friends in Chandigarh that Parveen is the sarpanch of her village, “I feel shy telling them about it, they’d probably think I am trying to throw my weight around,” she swivels in her chair, sounding casual.  

Parveen is currently pursuing an advanced course in web designing from Mohali, she stays as a paying guest in Mohali itself, and this exactly where the tough part begins. “I have to go back to my village on Saturday and Sunday invariably. Besides these two days, I have to rush back as and when I get a call from anyone in need,” adds Parveen who was unanimously elected as the sarpanch of her village when she was just 22 years old.  

 Two years down the line, Parveen today talks like a seasoned sarpanch, someone who has converted her entire village into a hi-tech village. Parveen won’t stop swirling in her chair, it is hard to miss her naivety, and it is equally hard to miss her enthusiasm as she talks about what all she has done for her village, “we’ve got 4-5 solar plants installed, we’ve installed 3D cameras, made bus stand sheds, installed water coolers, and solar street lights,” Parveen lists her achievements as a sarpanch. But we want to know who are ‘we’ve’ she talking about, “my father is actually my mentor and guide, and together both of us along with other panch have been working for the village.”

Parveen takes out her mobile in between the conversation to show us pictures of her village. “Asi eh sab kita,” the youngest sarpanch is still excited. But this is not how she was when she elected sarpanch, two years back she did not know sarpanch meant huge responsibility, dealing with all kind of problems, attending SOS calls at odd hours, meeting cops and ministers. Parveen used to be as lost as Alice was in Wonderland! “I used to be hesitant, I could not take decisions, I would feel awkward discussing problems with high officials, but now, she pauses, ab sab kar laiti hun.” Parveen’s achievements were recently tweeted by Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar on women’s day, “I also met him once, he knew I was the youngest well-read Sarpanch of Haryana, he was so proud of me,” Parveen scrolls her phone to show her picture with the Chief Minister.

Though Parveen calls each day as a learning experience, she wants to do a lot more for her village, “I want to create a website of my village and connect it with the rest of the world,” adds Parveen who is isn’t sure about her grand plans of entering the political arena, “My father wants me to get into politics but I am not sure,” now she sounds like a young 23 year old who isn’t too sure about her future plans. It is out of curiosity we ask a 23-year-old whether she’s got ‘sarpanch’ printed on her vehicle, scooty or car. Parveen gives us a a hearty laugh, she seems to have liked this question the most, “I haven’t, but my younger brother got sarpanch printed on his bike, which my father didn’t approve of it.”  And next we know she is posing for the camera, something that she has to do pretty often, just like speaking at various events, “I still feel nervous, but you know I don’t speak rehearsed speeches, I like it ex tempo.” Does that also mean this young girl has to give her jeans and tops a miss, sticking to only traditional salwar suit. “Nobody objects to my wearing jeans and tops, in fact  my grandparents often tell me, ‘tu jeans hi paya kar, suit main achi koni lagdi.’